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Love it or hate it the Holidays are here! It's time to lighten your wallets as you spread Christmas cheer! Here are some of the Observer's favorites for under the tree! They're the perfect gifts for those deserving of smiles, magic, and jubilee! For the Santa Monica Yogi: Yohola Cork Yoga Mat Once you go cork you never deal with torque! (On the yoga mat that is!) Yohola are the originators of the cork yoga mat, which increases grip the more you sweat (unlike your typical PVC...

Whole Foods Market served up a list of the hottest trends and foods that it believes could be popular in 2017. The list, which forecasts flavors, ingredients and appetites for the upcoming year, was compiled by experts and industry leaders vetted by the company. Coconuts, creative condiments, and alternative-grain pastas are just some of the items the company's trendsetters predict will be flying off the shelves in the next twelve months. According to Whole Foods, its team of...

On the heels of President Obama's signing of the National Park Service Centennial Act, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation has unveiled an impressive summary of the agency's accomplishments, achieved with its partners and unprecedented public engagement, during its year-long 100th anniversary celebrations, and prepared to use the momentum and support that resulted from the centennial to launch into its second century of service. From the outset, the...

The new hotly debated irreverent card game generating recent controversy and praise in the United Kingdom, Santa VS Jesus, is now available in the States through Amazon.com. After Ho Ho Ho'ing and Hallelujah'ing its way through Europe Santa VS Jesus is ready to be played this holiday season with close friends and family members who aren't afraid to live on the edge and stir-up a bit of good-hearted trouble with this fun tongue-in-cheek game. The card game is based on the...

Travel media company Lonely Planet announced its annual list of the top 10 most exciting places to go in the United States in the year ahead. Best in the US 2017 (lonelyplanet.com/best-in-us), selected by Lonely Planet's travel experts, names 10 destinations poised to shine next year, whether they're up-and-coming, overlooked or offer new reasons to visit in 2017. This year, the charming enclave of Asheville, North Carolina was named the #1 destination in the US to visit in...

It is an inspirational story that may bring tears to your eyes. And by all accounts, it's actually true. A 60-year-old Tennessee man who spends time volunteering as Santa Claus at a local hospital granted a 5-year-old terminally ill boy his final wish this holiday season, and held him as he died in his arms. "I spent four years in the Army with the 75th Rangers, and I've seen my share of [stuff]," Eric Schmitt-Matzen told USA Today. "But I ran by the nurses' station bawling...

If you're out on Santa Monica's tree-lined Montana Avenue shopping for holiday gifts this season and looking for a bite to eat, the newly-opened Margo's may be just what's on your wish list. The latest venture by Mark and Lani Verge of family-owned On The Verge Hospitality Group offers California cuisine with plenty of fresh twists. The restaurant opened on November 18th with acclaimed Executive Chef Greg Daniels at the helm. Margo's - formerly Ox & Son - has a new name, new...

By Kat Thomas It's that time of year! For better or worse, the tidal wave known as the Holidays has crashed onto our shores. But for those looking to escape from the Ho Ho Ho hubbub perhaps a night of beachy casualness at the Hotel MdR is exactly what the Christmas elves ordered. Equal parts style, comfort, convenience and service, Hotel MdR has set a new standard for Marina del Rey hotels. Peppered with constantly looping surf movies and doggie bowls for men's best friend in...

Can you feel left out even if you own the latest iPhone 7? You can if you're Frankenstein's monster. The computer giant has released a 2 minute commercial on their youtube page which shows Frankenstein's monster (Brad Garrett), descending into a town to sing "Home for the holidays." He is encouraged by a little girl, who recognizes that he just needs to feel included. The whole town joins in on the caroling. The ad switches rapidly back and forth from the 19th Century to the 2...

It is a fact. Where you live can affect how long you live. This is not so much about things such as weather conditions, or proximity to water and possible flooding, or temperature extremes or even the possibility of earthquakes. The biggest factor is the dietary habits established deep with a particular culture. Let's take a look. The four states in the United States with the worst life expectancy are Louisiana at 75.7 years, Alabama at 75.42 years, West Virginia at 75.40 and...

From innovative tech toys and licensed characters to enriching playthings that teach and inspire, 100 finalists for the prestigious 2017 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards have been unveiled by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). Between now and January 15, 2017, consumers can visit www.ToyAwards.org to vote for their favorite toy picks in each of the 14 categories – including new categories for 2017, like Action Figure of the Year, Doll of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Vehicle...

2/27: If you're flying out of LAX after Thanksgiving, you'd be well advised to arrive early. There is about a one hour wait just to enter the loop at LAX . Frustrated passengers exited Uber and Lyft rideshares, trying to illegally walk into the airport and make flights. The crowds begin to build at 1:30 pm. The terminal will probably get busier as the day progresses, and stay busy through Monday. LAX officials say 2.3 million people are expected to pass through the airport...

Bel Air Church (a.k.a. Bel Air Presbyterian Church) is providing 1,300 Thanksgiving meal boxes that each feed 10 people. For almost 30 years, the congregation has come together to pack food baskets for struggling families and individuals throughout the Los Angeles area. These are distributed to Bel Air's local missionary partners, including the Los Angeles Mission, Hope Gardens Family Center, Children's Hunger Fund, and local churches, organizations, and families throughout...

Today, National Geographic Traveler magazine announced the results of its coveted "Best of the World" list, which features 21 must-see destinations in 2017. Kauai, Hawaii's Island of Discovery, is just one of three locations from the United States and the only Hawaiian Island showcased. "It's a great honor for Kauai to be recognized by National Geographic Traveler and such an esteemed group of travel professionals," said Sue Kanoho, executive director of the Kauai Visitors...

In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims - early settlers of Plymouth Colony - held a three-day feast to celebrate a bountiful harvest. Many regard this event as the nation's first Thanksgiving. The Wampanoag Indians in attendance played a key role. Historians have recorded ceremonies of thanks among other groups of European settlers in North America. These include the British colonists in Virginia as early as 1619. The legacy of thanks and the feast have survived the centuries, as...

"Time spent with cats is never wasted."--Sigmund Freud A massive line of humans stand in front of a storefront on Melrose Blvd gawking and smiling like they do at the Christmas displays in the film "Miracle on 34th," but instead of a magical man in a red suit on other side the other side houses 20 magical creatures of the four legged furry kind: CATS!!! LA's first cat café has come to town in the form of the second location of the DC based Crumbs and Whiskers. But this isn't...

The Santa Monica based Pin-Ups on Tour, is a Vintage Burlesque & Variety Show that is FREE for Veterans and Active Duty Military personnel. And we're in the middle of a $10,000 Kickstarter to bring FREE shows to 600 hospitalized Veterans smile at 6 different VA Hospitals in 2017! Pin-Ups on Tour is a Vintage Burlesque & Variety Show that supports hospitalized Veterans - our goal is to recreate the bawdy fun of 1940's burlesque theaters so popular across America during and...

We all know that to live a better, longer and healthier life we need to establish and then maintain a proper weight for our age, height and gender. But we also know that a sweet taste is awesome. Candy, cupcakes, pies, soft drinks – all delicious – all sweet – all absolutely horrible for our well-being so what to do? We invent sugar substitutes such as saccharin and aspartame. The problem is that those artificial sweeteners bring even more serious health issues inclu...

Alaqua Animal Refuge, a no-kill animal shelter located in Northwest Florida, has taken custody of 73 Great Danes that were recently involved in a large scale breeding operation. The Refuge was contacted by concerned family members of a "puppy mill" owner in declining health, after it was discovered he had abandoned the facility, no longer able to care for the animals. "This was an enormous undertaking in every sense of the word, but we knew we had to help," said Laurie Hood,...

American Girl has something special for this year's holiday wish list-from newly released dolls to new movie specials, advice books, construction sets, and cooking kits that are sure to engage and entertain all season long! Melody Ellison Fostering harmony and joy this holiday season is Melody Ellison, American Girl's newest historical character growing up in 1960s Detroit during the civil rights movement. A budding singer filled with hope and enthusiasm, Melody encourages...

Federal authorities still consider cannabis a schedule one drug. But orthodox Jews answer to a Higher authority. Orthodox Jewish authorities have declared cannabis and Marijuana Kosher (Parve) for Passover and all year, reports the Israel National News. After sniffing the leaves, Rabbi Kanievksy and Rabbi Yitzchak Zilberstein said that the Cannabis plant has a "healing smell," according to the Times of Israel, and blessed the leaves. For the eight-days of Passover, Jews avoid...

Maps are an integral part of travel, but for those taking to the skies with checked bags, visibility to a piece of luggage and its journey through the belly of the airport and from one plane to the next has been lacking. That's changing for Delta Air Lines [NYSE: DAL] customers who now have a map view of their bag's last scanned location on the Fly Delta mobile app. "We're the first carrier to offer this level of visibility," said Bill Lentsch, Delta's Senior Vice President...

In celebration of International Day of the Girl, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) has recognized its 2016 National Young Women of Distinction-10 young women from around the country whose efforts reflect extraordinary leadership. As background, each year GSUSA honors 10 Girl Scouts as National Young Women of Distinction, selected from the thousands of exceptional young women in grades 9–12 who earn their Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. National Y...

Words Ignite, the organization dedicated to engaging diverse youth in literature and increasing literacy through the power of classic and street poetry, today released its first book of poems and personal narratives, Get Lit Rising. Penned by nineteen diverse young poets from the organization known as the Get Lit Players, and in collaboration with their mentor, Get Lit Founder and Executive Director Diane Luby Lane, the book features groundbreaking life stories; classic works...

I must admit I'm fascinated with Greenland. Maybe it's the idea of man against the elements. Maybe it's the colorful towns and villages, painted pastel against an icy landscape. To this day, the generous Danes give $5 billion in grants to the Islanders every year. Which is somewhat surprising, since Greenlanders have voted no less than 3 times over the last 30 years, that they want to be more independent. $5 billion a year is about $90,000 for each of 56,000 Greenlanders....